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Language programs not just for Spanish speakers

Posted:
12/18/2012 03:33:51 PM MST

Dual language programs are not just geared toward helping non-English speakers learn the language anymore. With Deming Public Schools, the programs help students learn English, but also help English speakers grow up while learning a second language.

Michael Chavez, director of Bilingual Education, has set out to help the public understand what exactly he and the teachers of DPS hope to accomplish with the dual language courses offered for various grade levels.

"Our dual language programs are for all kids," he said. "The goal of the dual language program is to develop bi-literate kids."

He says there are to basic approaches along which most of the children involved are taken, one-way and two-way. The one-way approach is geared toward helping Spanish speakers learn English. The two-way methods help Spanish speakers to learn English, but the classes are taught in such a way that English speaking students are immersed in an environment that fosters learning Spanish.

"The only difference between a single language track and a dual language track is that you're learning in two languages. The content is still the same we're responsible for teaching," he explained. "Even our text books are the same. The only difference is the contents are in English and Spanish.
"It's not a watered-down program."

In other words, elementary school students whose native language is English can learn the same course material as English speakers in traditional programs, but with the added benefit of learning Spanish at a young age.

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"We've worked really hard to really, really change our bilingual programs from a transitional model where we're trying to get the kids pushed out of the program to a dual language model, where we're trying to hold the kids in and develop bi-literacy," he said. "Our goal is to have our dual language programs represented in K-12 so a child can go from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade and learn in both languages."